Foster eyes Perth Cup

Bunbury galloper Fanicio was unable to live up to his tag as favourite in Saturday’s $150,000 XXXX Gold Kalgoorlie Cup, finishing fifth despite a massive run.

Fanicio, trained by Simon Foster, had been a warm $5 fancy for the 2300m staying feature after a stylish win in the Boulder Cup and second in the Coolgardie Cup earlier this month.

The five-year-old gelding got shuffled back to 12th on cornering but flew home with an outside run to finish 2½ lengths behind winner Classique Ivory.

Foster said his galloper, which carried 58.5kg in the race, would freshen up in the next month before working towards the (Group 2) $500,000 Perth Cup (2300m).

“He was still last before going to 200 meters before he got to the outside,” Foster said.

“It was an awesome effort and showed he can stay which is why we’ve decided to head towards the Perth Cup with him.”

Global Flirt, the other South West chance in the race, was scratched. The stallion is trained by Justin Warwick in Harvey.

Leonora born trainer Gino Poletti’s decision to remove the blinkers from Classique Ivory proved a training masterstroke following the five-year-old’s victory.

Ridden by Shaun O’Donnell from gate 14, Classique Ivory settled near the read of the field, heading for home in 13th before showing a superb turn of foot to salute from Starlight Lady by a neck.

O’Donnell said a combination of removing the blinkers and a well executed ride laid the foundations for the triumph.

“We sat just behind (Fanicio’s jockey) Troy Turner and waited to see if he was going to hook out or what my options were,” O’Donnell said.

“I turned the corner and got a beautiful run inside of me.

“So I picked him (Classique Ivory) up and I just went past Troy and I was able to get up the straight — he fought them off.”